About this book

The can-do heroine from the acclaimed The Little Red Fort returns in this fresh, feminist spin on The Three Billy Goats Gruff.

Ruby's mind is always full of ideas.

One day, she spies some blueberries across the creek and invites her brothers to pick some. Unfortunately, the bridge is blocked by scary Santiago. "I'm the boss, and you can't cross... unless you give me a snack," he demands.

One by one, the brothers scamper across, promising Santiago that the next sibling has a better snack. When at last it's Ruby's turn, she refuses to be bullied and creates her own way to cross the creek.

This modern spin on a classic tale weaves folklore, feminism, STEM, and a Latinx cast into a delightful read-aloud that celebrates creativity and building bridges of friendship and community.

Reviews

Praise for The Little Blue Bridge:

"Following The Little Red Fort (2018), Maier and Sánchez are back with another bicultural take on a favorite folktale: “The Three Billy Goats Gruff.” The feisty Latina protagonist, red boots and all, is still being sidetracked by her older brothers, but... neither Ruby’s size nor gender is an obstacle to success... A fun read-aloud." -- Kirkus Reviews

"Sánchez’s colorful, mixed-media illustrations often use loose scribbles that cast an appropriately childlike energy over the story. Many positive qualities are demonstrated here, including problem solving, tenacity, self-confidence, and helpfulness, making this a worthwhile refresh of a classic with a slight Latinx twist." --Booklist

Praise for The Little Red Fort:

A Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year

A Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year

One Book Colorado 2020 Winner

* "The Little Red Hen gets an appealing girl-power update... Young makers of all genders will be inspired." -- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review

"Maier judiciously adapts one of the best nursery stories, keeps it simple, and makes it her own. The upbeat mixed-media illustrations are nicely varied in composition and perspective. A lively picture book that's fun to read aloud." -- Booklist

"[Sánchez's] textured illustrations and sense of humor add depth to each dynamic scene. Throughout the story, Maier's little Latina go-getter breaks gender and cultural stereotypes... empowering." -- Kirkus Reviews

"Maier's girl-power-meets-classic-folktale story line is engaging and entertaining. Sánchez's colorfully patterned and textured illustrations give dimension to a determined and endearing pigtailed heroine and her realistic multigenerational, multi-skin-toned family." -- The Horn Book

"Perfect for storytime or one-on-one sharing. It also reminds girls that they can do whatever they set their minds to do." -- School Library Journal

"Exuberance on every page." -- Publishers Weekly

"The repetition of key words and the predictable narrative would make this book excellent for reading aloud... The warmly colored illustrations with pops of red are... a fitting style for a book about one child's creativity and ingenuity." -- School Library Connection, recommended